17 April 2019 – Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be without three key players for their upcoming international friendly match against world champions, the USA.

Sweden-based Leandra Smeda as well as Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana, who play in China, will not be available due to club commitments as the fixture does not fall under the FIFA Calendar date.

“The absence of Thembi, Linda and Leandra comes at a crucial time of our preparation and you want to have your more experienced players available for such a big match, but unfortunately it is not during the FIFA calendar. Now is the time for the other squad members to show their mettle and grab the opportunity,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis, who has announced a squad of 26 players for the match.

She has called up three players who were not part of the last friendly match against Jamaica – goalkeeper Mapaseka Mpuru (TUKS Ladies) and defender Charmelle Wiltshire (Lamar University, USA) as well as midfielder Nomvula Kgoale (Louisiana Tech University, USA).

“We have brought in an extra goalkeeper to give more competition to the other goal minders. Mapaseka has played for the U20 national team and has been to several Banyana Banyana camps. She was also key in her team winning the Sello Mokoena Memorial tournament in Johannesburg recently,” added Ellis.

“Nomvula has played for Banyana Banyana before (2011 All Africa Games) and has also been to many training camps of the senior team. She is another utility player that was at the U17 World Cup in 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago (along with Jermaine Seoposenwe and Kaylin Swart – who are in the current squad). Charmelle has also played for the U20s and both players have gained some experience playing in the USA.”

Kgoale, Wiltshire, Ode Fulutudilu, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Nothando Vilakazi will meet up with the team in the USA. Fulutudilu is based in Spain, while Seoposenwe and Vilakazi have just signed for FC Gintras Universitas in Lithuania.

The clash against the USA is part of preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France taking place from 7 June to 7 July.

“It’s a huge moment for players when u get the opportunity to play the number one-ranked team who are also the World Champions. You cannot ask for a tougher match to test yourself. We have played a few matches this year and did not get the desired results but each and every game showed an improvement,” said Ellis.

“It’s another opportunity to see where we at just about a month away from the start of the 2019 World Cup. Make no mistake this will be our most difficult game thus far. It’s also the final opportunity for players to once again fight for the spots in the World Cup squad which we will announce soon after this match.”

Kickoff for the clash is at 13h45 local time (22h45 South African time – California is nine hours behind South Africa)

 BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs USA

            

NAME AND SURNAME POSITION CLUB  LOCATION PROVINCE
1. Andile DLAMINI Goalkeepers Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria GAUTENG
2. Kaylin SWART   Golden Stars Port Elizabeth EASTERN CAPE
3. Jessica WILLIAMS   Spurs WFC Cape Town CAPE TOWN
4. Mapaseka MPURU   TUKS FC Johannesburg GAUTENG
5. Lebogang RAMALEPE Defenders Ma-Indies FC Polokwane LIMPOPO
6. Nothando VILAKAZI   FC GINTRAS UNIVERSITAS Lithuania LITHUANIA
7. Janine VAN WYK   JVW FC Johannesburg GAUTENG
8. Noko MATLOU   Ma-Indies FC Polokwane LIMPOPO
9. Bambanani MBANE   Bloemfontein Celtic FC Bloemfontein FREE STATE
10. Tiisetso MAKHUBELA   Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria GAUTENG
11. Bongeka GAMEDE   UWC Cape Town WESTERN CAPE
12. Karabo DHLAMINI   Mamelodi Sundowns FC Pretoria GAUTENG
13. Yonela KETO   Thunderbirds FC Port Elizabeth EASTERN CAPE
14. Chamelle WILTSHIRE   Lamar University   USA
15.Mamello MAKHABANE Midfielders JVW FC Johannesburg GAUTENG
16.Nompumelelo NYANDENI   JVW FC Johannesburg GAUTENG
17. Nomvula Kgoale   Louisiana Tech University   USA
18. Busisiwe NDIMENI   TUKS FC Pretoria GAUTENG
19. Refiloe JANE   Unattached  Johannesburg GAUTENG
20. Ongeziwe DLANGISA   Sunflower Ladies Durban KWA ZULU NATAL
21. Kholosa BIYANA   UKZN Durban KWA ZULU NATAL
22. Sibulele HOLWENI   Sophokama/HPC Port Elizabeth EASTERN CAPE
23. Jermaine SEOPOSENWE Forward FC GINTRAS UNIVERSITAS Lithuania LITHUANIA
24. Amanda MTHANDI   University of Johannesburg Johannesburg GAUTENG
25. Rhoda MULAUDZI   Unattached Johannesburg GAUTENG
26. Ode FULUTUDILU   Malaga FC Malaga SPAIN